The Thimphu Festival (Tsechu) is the largest and most prestigious of Bhutan's festivals. Tsechus (festivals) are one of the best ways to experience Bhutan's ancient living culture, featuring dances performed by trained monks and laymen in amazing masks and costumes. Tsechu is a Buddhist festival commemorating Guru Rimpoche, the saint who introduced Buddhism to Bhutan. Tenzing Rabgye (1638-1696), the 4th Temporal Ruler, established the Thimphu Tsechu in 1670. This festival also offers an excellent opportunity to see locals dressed in their finest Gho's and Kira's in celebration of their culture and faith. This tour includes stops at sacred sites in Paro, Thimphu, and Punakha.
Day 1 : ARRIVE PARO - THIMPHU TSHECHU
The flight to Paro is one of the world's most spectacular mountain flights, with a constantly changing panorama of some of the world's highest mountains.
After lunch, spend the afternoon exploring Paro, including a visit to the Ta Dzong Museum, which houses many religious relics, works of art, and handicrafts and provides a great introduction to Bhutan's historical, cultural, and religious past. Next, go to the Rimpong Dzong to see a painting of the great saint Milarepa, who is revered in Bhutan as the master of meditation and is said to have attained enlightenment in a single lifetime. Dzongs are large monasteries and district administrative centers that served as strategic forts in the past. After that, drive for 1.5 hours to Thimphu, the capital, following the Pachu River. Before dinner at the hotel.
Day 2 : THIMPHU
After breakfast, drive to Tashichhodzong to go to the Thimphu celebration. You may see local people dressed in their finest dress who have strolled from miles around to go to the celebrations. They come to observe concealed moves, to supplicate, and to devour. Whereas the basic reason for the celebration is otherworldly, moves are more regularly like plays, telling stories where great triumphs over fiendish, or portraying noteworthy authentic occasions, particularly encompassing the life of Bhutan’s benefactor holy person, Padmasambhava (too known as Master Rinpoche). There's an incredible bargain of mingling as well. Tashichhodzong, ‘the fortification of the brilliant religion’. At first, raised in 1641 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was revamped within the 1960s amid the rule of Bhutan’s third ruler within the conventional fashion, without plans or nails. Tashichhodzong houses a few services, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central minister body. Overnight at your lodging in Thimphu.
Day 3 : THIMPHU
Enjoy a morning of sightseeing, which includes a visit to the 12th-century Changangkha Temple and the National Memorial Chorten, which depicts the Buddhist faith through paintings and statues. The Third King established this temple as a safeguard against the negative effects of modernization and as a memorial to world peace. It was finished by the Royal Queen's Mother as a memorial stupa for the Third King, who died in 1972.
Day 4 : THIMPHU - PUNAKHA
Drive over the Dochu-La pass (3,100 meters), which offers an incredible view of Himalayan peaks on a clear day, before descending into the cool Punakha valley (about 3 hrs total driving time). The drive through the countryside provides a glimpse into daily life in this remote Himalayan kingdom. There are vast Rhododendron forests in the Dochu-La area that grow to tree size and bloom in late April/early May, covering the mountains in a riot of glorious spring color.
Punakha was Bhutan's ancient capital. Visit Punakha Dzong, the "Palace of Great Happiness" built in 1637 by the Shabdrung, Bhutan's unifier. It is located at the confluence of the Mo Chu and Pho Chu rivers (Mother and Father Rivers) and serves as the winter headquarters for the Je Khenpo and hundreds of monks who migrate from Thimphu to this warmer location. The Punakha Dzong's three-story main temple is a stunning example of traditional architecture, with four intricately embossed entrance pillars crafted from cypress and decorated in gold and silver. The first king of Bhutan was crowned here in 1907.
After lunch, take a stroll to Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of Drukpa Kuenly, also known as the Divine Madman. He inherited the title of Divine Madman because he revolted against orthodox Buddhism during his lifetime. He taught the people that religion is an inner feeling and that being an ordained monk is not required. He is also regarded as a fertility symbol, and most childless couples seek his blessing at his temple. Overnight in Punakha/Wangduephodrang at your hotel.
Day 5 : PUNAKHA - THIMPHU - PARO
Drive to Yabesa village in the morning and hike through ricefields to Khamsum Yueley Namgyal Chorten, built by Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuk. The Chorten, perched high on a hill on the river's bank, houses paintings from the Nyingmapa Traditions.
Return to Thimphu and visit the National Library, which houses a collection of Bhutanese scriptures dating back to the 8th century, as well as the Folk Heritage Museum, which houses a fascinating replica of a medieval farmhouse. You will also be able to visit handicraft and souvenir shops. If your visit to Thimphu falls on a weekend, you can stroll through the Thimphu Market to see the variety of Bhutanese food, which includes baskets upon baskets of fiery chilies, fresh cheese, and a variety of fresh greens. Furthermore, many stalls sell Bhutanese handicrafts and household items.
Hike to Taktsang Monastery after breakfast. The trail is wide, and the two-hour uphill walk takes you nearly a kilometer above the Paro valley floor (for those who cannot hike we will arrange a horse for transfer up to the viewing point). Taktsang Monastery, built on a sheer cliff face 900 meters above the valley floor, is a breathtaking sight. The Monastery is also a popular Buddhist pilgrimage site. When the great Guru Rimpoche brought the teachings of the Buddhist Dharma to Bhutan in the eighth century, he is said to have flown here on the back of a tigress. He then mediated in a cave there for three months where the monastery was later built. Nearby there is a teahouse where you can stop for refreshments.
In the afternoon drive to the ruins of the 17th Century Drukgyel Dzong, a historic monument built by the Shabdrung to commemorate his victory against invading Tibetans in 1644. In fine weather, the towering peak of the sacred Mount Jomolhari (7314m) appears as a stunning backdrop. On the return drive to Paro, visit 7th Century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples constructed by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo.
Alternatively, day 6 could be spent on a day trip to the Haa Valley, one of Bhutan's most beautiful districts. Haa Valley, accessible via the stunning Chelila Pass, is distinguished by its surrounding rugged and mountainous terrain. Overnight in Paro at your hotel.
Day 7 : LEAVE PARO
Breakfast at the hotel, followed by a drive to the airport for your flight to your next destination. Tashi Delek!